Two men have been left badly shaken after shots were fired through the window of a block of flats in Killyleagh.

An armed gang are thought to have aimed up to eight shots at the Castleview property early on Sunday.

No one was injured in the incident.

Two men aged 25 and 39 and a 21-year-old woman were arrested. They were later released on bail, pending further police enquiries.

It is understood that the man whose property was shot at had tried to intervene in an altercation in a neighbouring flat at around 5.30am. Shortly afterwards a larger armed group returned to the scene. They then fired shots into the ground floor flat, where another neighbour had also called.

DUP councillor William Walker, a relative of the man whose flat was fired at, said local residents were horrified at what had occurred.

"Irrespective of what the motive is, people should really take their concerns to the police."

A police spokesman said: "Police investigating a report of shots being fired at a dwelling in the Castleview area of Killyleagh have arrested two men aged 25 and 39 and a 21 year old woman. They are currently in custody.

"Two men who were present in the house at the time of the incident were not injured, however they have been left very badly shaken.

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"Detective Sergeant Mark Crothers would appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident, which is believed to have occurred shortly before 7am this morning, Sunday, 14 January, to contact them.

"Police would also appeal to anyone who noticed any suspicious persons or activity in the vicinity at approximately 5.30am/6.00am this morning, to also contact them. Please call detectives at Ardmore on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 378 14/01/18.

"Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime."